Benefice of Dickleburgh and the Pulhams

For details of ringing in the benefice towers, and in South Norfolk click the bell.

Next Benefice events:    

Sunday 29th January 2012 Benefice Candlemas Service 3pm at Rushall

Saturday 10th March  Quiet Day

"God in Creation" 10am to 1pm Thelveton Church

From Margaret Doggett:  

When I was fifteen I received my one and only Valentine Card.  I never found out who sent it!  I was naturally rather ‘chuffed’!  Actually, at the time I was more interested in Badminton, Tennis and Table Tennis at the Youth Club.

Of course Valentine Cards are supposed to be secret and the recipient has no idea who sends their undying love.  It is a nice thing to do and it brings happiness and a feeling of hope and perhaps a future with the one who sent it.

St. Valentine’s Day on 14^th February is surrounded in mystery and traditions going back to Roman times.  So where did this rather nice happy event stem from|?  Some experts say that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman Priest who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.  He died on 14^th February 269 AD.

Over time it has become the date for exchanging love messages and a celebration of St. Valentine as the patron Saint of lovers.  As we know the date is marked by sending flowers, cards and a celebration meal for those whom we love.

Another story is that the Emperor Claudius was conducting an illegitimate wedding.  St. Valentine tried to stop this and he continued to conduct marriages through God’s blessing for a lasting union.  His success was his downfall – thrown into prison, where the jailor’s daughter was known to him and hen fell in love with her.  It is thought that on the evening of his execution St. Valentine sent a love note which read “From your Valentine”.

So we have some of the story and we love a myth or a legend.  Perhaps that is what St. Valentine’s Day is, a myth or a legend, but the overriding message is about love and the appreciation of love; the support and help which it brings.  Jesus was the one who finally summed it all up, Love God and Love your neighbour as yourself.  No matter what, love is the overriding emotion that helps us through our lives.  Think about the love of Mother and Father for their children.  To those who are about to be married, remember that love can conquer many difficulties.

In Wales wooden spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14^th.  Hearts, Keys and Keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons.  The decoration meant ‘You unlock my heart!’

Let us all ‘unlock our hearts’ as Jesus taught us.  To love one another as God loves you.

Margaret Doggett